I'm a software engineer in the bay area and have been thinking about moving somewhere cheaper (in USA or aboard) where I can live cheaply and focus on my own intellectual pursuits. I'd love to be in a place where the living costs are low and where there exists a thriving intellectual community (I've noticed cities near top academic institutions tend to create that sort of atmosphere but not necessarily). I'd prefer a place where English speakers are common enough such that I won't feel isolated by a language barrier. I haven't traveled too often and would love to hear from HN community about any places that match this general description. Thank you in advance!
Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
1–10 of 1001 posts
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#2It depends what you mean by cheap but you can live in Somerville next to Cambridge MA for a fraction of SF rent and be in perhaps the best intellectual environment in the world.
https://boston.craigslist.org/search/aap?bedrooms=1&maxAsk=1...
Looks like it’s pretty easy to find a sub-$1000/mo bedroom
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#3Atlanta!
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#4If you really consider moving abroad, then Berlin might be a good option. It has a decent American expat community, it's relatively “cheap” and culturally rich.
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#5Hesitant to encourage more people to move here but...South West Montana. Bozeman, Livingston, Helena..
I say "here" but I'm typing this in SF...so I guess I mean "there".
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#6I lived a year in Vilnius and after the usual struggle to get connected found the startup community there quite thriving. Still, most of my friends where expats.
You can live comfortably on 1300 EUR/month. (Average salary is 1000 EUR, but probably a bit higher in Vilnius). To evaluate visit first in winter because it’s the worst time.
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#7Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is an option to consider. Strategically located in growing Southeast Asia and well connected.
Most folks in the city speaks English in the city, so you wont have issues getting around.
There is a growing tech community here as well with a some notable startups/companies.
Cost of living wise, magnitude lower than neighboring Singapore, as such a good consideration
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#8Somewhat relevant:
http://makeindiegamesincapetown.com/
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#9If you really consider moving abroad, then Berlin might be a good option. It has a decent American expat community, it's relatively “cheap” and culturally rich.
I was talking to someone about tech culture in Germany earlier. How easy is it to get a tech job out there?
Re: Ask HN: Cheap places to live with a good intellectual atmosphere?
#10Hesitant to encourage more people to move here but...South West Montana. Bozeman, Livingston, Helena.. I say "here" but I'm typing this in SF...so I guess I mean "there".
Isn't Rightnow the only tech company in Gallatin Valley?